Exodus 14 Notes: Through the Sea on Dry Land

Section 14: Exodus 14:1-15:21

Theme or topic of this section

God Parts the Waters of the Red Sea

God Said to Moses, “I Have a Plan That Will Knock Your Socks Off!”

“Watch This!”

The Staff of Moses

The Israelites Show Great Trust in the Lord

Quit Your Crying and Get Moving!

The Versatility of Pillars: The Multipurpose Cloud and Fire

Moses and The People Burst Into Song

Some interesting points

- It is interesting that 15:11 refers to “gods”.  Weren’t they monotheists?

What does Moses tell the Israelites?

- Moses tells the people “Do not be afraid.”  We hear that a lot in scripture.

He also tells them “stand where you are.  Watch and you will see.  You won’t need to lift a finger.”  (Some translations differ on this last instruction.)

- Moses is saying “Watch this!”

What does God tell them?

- “Go forward.”

- God said, “Tell the Israelites to get moving.”

What is God’s reason for action against the Egyptians?

- Pharaoh was like a god to the Egyptians, so the actions say that God is God, not Pharaoh.

- Yul Brynner – “His God is God.” (after the plague of the death of the first-born)

Note that Egypt and Israel were resting all night, but God was working all night to part the sea.  God had a time frame.  Maybe he worked all night so that the Egyptians would enter the sea (armies move by daylight).

It took a LOT of faith for the Israelites to enter the sea, with walls of water on both sides.

Did Moses part the waters or did God do it?

- Moses raised his rod, but this was a sign (a visual aid) for the people.  God is the one who parted the waters.  Also, holding up the rod signals that something awesome is going to happen.

After they go through the sea on dry land, the Israelites feared the Lord, and then celebrated.  They sing, they dance.

What we learned about the nature of God from this passage

- God is patient with his people.

- God had a plan that started back when he came to Moses as the burning bush.  In spite of the reaction of the Israelites, God continues to executs his plan, all for the purpose of getting his point across that “I AM GOD” and to rescue his people.

- Deliberate, consistent,unwavering, persistent, determine.

- God is powerful and in control of the natural elements.

- God confides in Moses.

What we learned from this passage that we can apply to our lives

- It’s easier to trust when you know the plan (Moses knows the plan but the Israelites don’t.)

- God will make a way where there seems to be no way.

- We have to be willing to take things step by step.

- We should hang in there in the face of difficulty.

- Trust in the Lord; lean not on your own understanding.

- Sometimes God makes miracles through science (by God giving scientists their ability)

- All talents are God-given.

Exodus 13 Notes: Guiding the Israelites Out of Egypt

Section 13:  Exodus 13 – Guiding the Israelites out of Egypt

Theme or topic of this section

They Have A Guide

The Strong Hand of God

Getting the People Out of Egypt Safely

Teaching the People on the Way

Some interesting points

The Israelites had a guide.

They took Joseph’s bones with them.

What does redeeming the first-born child mean?

What is the significance of unleavened bread?

- is it a sacrifice?  That kind of bread doesn’t taste as good as yeast bread.

- does bread without yeast last longer?

- to commemorate the haste of leaving Egypt (previous chapter)

What is the significance of the consecration of the first-born?

- consecration means dedication for a special purpose.

- because God had to kill the first-born of the Egyptians.  Consecration of the Israelites’ first-born helps them remember the sacrifice of the Egyptian children.

- they do that so they don’t forget what God did for them.

Why does the text emphasize the strong hand of God?

- God was a strong leader.

- it brings to mind all the plagues and stuff God did.

- so they can tell each other about the events.

- so they can be motivated to leave Egypt.

Why the round-about route away from Egypt?

- to work their way to get there.

- to teach them to be self-sufficient (and yet, another lesson in Exodus is to trust in God).

- so they won’t get lazy.

- so they can use the gifts that God has given them

- to punish them.  (later  - for the golden calf incident)

What we learned about the nature of God from this passage

God means what he says.

God did what he promised.

God tells us to remember.

God doesn’t give you everything, but God gives you everything you need.

What we learned from this passage that we can apply to our lives

Use the gifts that God has given you. 

I’m glad I wasn’t living then!

Exodus 11:1-12:51 Notes: The First Passover

Exodus Study Section 12: Discussion notes

Exodus 11:1-12:51 –

Warning of the Tenth Plague, The First Passover Instituted, Leaving Egypt (finally)

Theme or topic of this section

The Passover

God is Very Exact in His Instructions

God Did What He Said He Was Going to Do

Finally Out!

God is Doing Some Team-Building (and they are going to need it)

Some interesting points

Q: Where did the livestock come from?  Didn’t they die in one of the previous plagues?

Q: What is a lintel? (Ans – the beam of wood that goes over the doorway)

Q: Pharaoh asks for a blessing. (v 12:31-32)  What’s up with that?

- he just lost his son (a crippling blow) maybe that cracked him.

- depends on his tone of voice

- I would like to think that Pharaoh is repentant

- But it’s been “It’s all about me” up unil now… maybe he still is only thinking of himself.

Q: Why share a lamb?

- they had to finish it because the meat could go bad.

- To remind the Israelites of what happened.  It’s not just a festive meal.

- Could be teaching them to trust in God – use it all up – no leftovers for the next day.

- it is like a burnt offering (a sacrificial offering).  The lamb died in place of the Israelite firstborn

- maybe they didn’t have many lambs – they were  hard to find, so families should share.

Q: Why is blood needed?

- the blood is a sign for the Israelites, not for God.

- It’s ‘team-building’ if you will – pulling the people together.

- They would see if their neighbors got the message – they might not have known their neighbors well  (they were too busy as slaves)

- redemption means “to buy back” or “to pay a ransom”

What we learned about the nature of God from this passage

God is faithful – he does what he says he would.

God gives exact instructions at times.

What we learned about the Israelites from this passage

- they started working together (teamwork).

- the people worshipped God.

- Where would they find all those lambs?!

What we learned from this passage that we can apply to our lives

- If we don’t obey we lose.

- None of us keeps all God’s commandments exactly?

- I would get kicked out of the community because I would want to know why we have to do these things.

- They had to have faith that the lamb’s blood would protect them.  We have to have faith that the blood of Jesus will “wash us whiter than snow”.

- Rely on God – he is faithful.

Exodus 4:1-17 Notes: Moses' Miraculous Power

Section 7: Moses’ Miraculous Power– Exodus 4:1-17

Theme or topic of this section

The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.. again!

Perform Miraculous Signs

Moses’ Miraculous Power

Saying No Is not Always the Answer

Rescue the Israelite Slaves (and the Prep behind the rescue)

God Gave Moses the Signs and Necessary Tools to Return to Egypt

God’s Plan for Moses to Implement

Moses’ Toolbox

Some interesting points

How does God respond to Moses’ objections?

- He pulls the “God card”

- God doesn’t take no for an answer.

- God keeps giving Moses commands.

- says Aaron will help you, but you’re still going to do it.

The Purpose of the signs

- to prove to the Israelites who God is, and that Moses has been sent by God.

- the signs require Moses to have trust – snakes, leprosy – are you kidding me?!

When God gets angry at Moses (vs 14)

- God gets angry but really, the first words out of God’s mouth are kind. 

- God was already planning a real-life answer to Moses’ objections.

- In verse 11 God sounds more angry than he does in verse 14.

- There will be 2 people (Moses and Aaron ) – a shared burden.

Are Moses’ objections justified?

- The Lord didn’t think so!

- We all like to let fellow humans off the hook.

- Yes, because Moses’ position and confidence have changed from when he was in Egypt.  He’s become used to talking to sheep.

- God is calling Moses to become  a shepherd of people.

The $64,000 question

Why would God harden the heart of Pharaoh? ! ? !

- so that the Israelites would see all the signs and know that God is fighting for them.

- if Pharaoh caved right away, leaving Egypt would be too easy for the Israelites.  With the signs, it makes leaving valuable to the Israelites.

- God wanted the Israelites to trust him fully.

What we learned about the nature of God from this passage

- God is extremely patient, but can be pushed.

- Long-suffering

- When God wants you to do something, God will be relentless.

- God is approachable and listens.

- God understands Moses’ shortcomings.

- God doesn’t require us to be perfect in order to use us.

- God will equip you for the job he calls you to do.

What we learned from this passage that we can apply to our lives

- I’m not a good speaker, so I can relate to Moses.  And God can use me anyway.

- When God wants you to do something, he will wear you down.

- How do I know when God is speaking to me?

- Sometimes God doesn’t have a big project for us, but he can still use us where we are.

Exodus 3:13-22 Notes: The Divine Name Revealed

Section 6: The Divine Name Revealed – Exodus 3:13-22

Theme or topic of this section

Look, I’m God, This is the Plan, You’re My Man, and
             Here’s Your Instructions

Moses’ Assignment

Start Packing

Trust Me

I Have a Name and You Have a Mission

Questions written by the class

- Moses, what are your intentions when you get to Egypt?  How are you able to do this chore, and why did you take it on?

- How is God going to make the Egyptians give the jewelry and other articles?

Some interesting points

- Moses’s second objection is “The Israelites won’t know who you are.”

- Why does God need Moses to speak instead of just God speaking himself?  Perhaps because generations after will know that an ordinary guy could do an extraordinary task.   See Philippians 4:13

- God says his name is

            I am who I am                       or

            I will be what I will be          or

            I am who I will be                 or

            I will be who I am                 or...

In other words, God is infinite, and has no definition.

- Moses needs to know that God is not one of the Egyptian gods.

- God has to re-establish monotheism (and is still re-establishing it today).

- Does Moses get a satisfactory answer to his question about God’s name?

            - Yes and no.

            - It’s as clear as it could be.

            - Moses wanted him to say something like, “My name is Paul.”

- the name “I am” denotes just how big God is.  There are no words to describe God in human terms.

- Throughout the Bible we see these regular old schmoes getting a mission.

- What would you do if your rhododendron started talking to you?

What we learned about the nature of God from this passage

- God is everywhere all the time.

- God has compassion.

- God is trying to give Moses confidence.

What we learned about other characters from this passage

- Moses was Prince of Egypt, now humble shepherd, is wanted for murder.  He’s not too ambitious now.

- Moses was probably used to the wilderness.

- Pharaoh will not easily let them go, but God wil compel him.

- Egyptians will be disposed to give plunder willingly.

What we learned from this passage that we can apply to our lives

- Trust God even if you are not feeling qualified.

- God helps me out of difficulty.  I thank God every day for that.

- Some things don’t have an answer that can be articulated.